Display device



23} 1944- A; B. coLuNs 2,349706 DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Das. 5, 1941 -J g.J. y

A INVENTOR.

Patented May 23, 1944 uwmzo STATES Maar OFFICE 'Ihis invention relates to a display device de signecl primarily for holding carcls containing advertising matter, one of the objects being to provide a structure of simple anal inexpensive Construction which acts to direct instant attention t the supported object, thereby increasing the value of the advertising medium employed.

Another object is to utilize a display device simulating the conventional illustration of a lightning fiash and extending from a supporting base to a card holder o1 the like, the construction of the device being such that when subjected to external light rays, brilliant clearly distinguishable streaks Will appear along the clevice from the base to the holder, thereby giving the efiect of a lightning flash without, however, utilizing any light other than the sun or other rays cast upon the article.

A still further object is 110 utilize a display clevice especially applicable to carrying advertising matter appertaining to the electrical industry without; however, requiring special applied or built-in illuminating elements.

With the foregoing anal other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction ancl combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described anal pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangernent of parts Without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred forms 01 the invention haVe been shown.

In said drawing Figure 1 is a front elevation of a display device embodying the present invention and simulating multiple lightning flashes extending between a base and a holder for cards or the like.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of another form of the invention.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, I designates an elongated body compris- Ing a length of molded translucent plastic provided at one end with one er more blaole-like extensions 2 removably seated in grooves 3 formed in a base 4. The parts are helcl together preferably by friction.

The upper portion of the bocly l carries a Clip 5 pruportioned to hold a card C or the like.

The body l has its edes beveled toward one face of the body, as shown at 6, and 1's of zig-zag contour simulating the conventional illustration of a lightning fiash.

An important feature of the invention is the fast that it is formed of a translucent plastic prefera-bly of a reddish or fire color. The

depth of the color is uniform except where the member is thinned along its edges by beveling. Here the light rays pass througn more freely with the result that a bright streak of light in high -contrast to the remaining portions of the device, is produced along each straight edge. These light streaks define pronounced outstanding zigzag streaks leaoling from the base I to the clip 5 thereby directihg immediate attention to the supported card.

The desired effect can be enhanced by subjecting the device to moving light rays or by forming it of a plastic responsive to the action of black light or rays below the Visible spectrum.

Some plastics from which satisfactory results have been obtaineol are cellulose acetate and Edgeglovv Plastacele.

Obviously the shape 01" the display deVice can be made to meet the tastes of the User. In Figure 1 it is in the form of the well-known advertising character Reddy Kilowatt one band of which constitutes the clip, whereas in Figure 3 it has been illustrated merely as a single flash 1 leaoling.from a base 8 to a clip 9. In both forms, however, the same result is obtained in the same Way.

This display device has been used to excellent advantage as an advertising medium for the ele0- trical industry and is effectively used for munter displays ancl at other places where electric Wiring is not available er is undesirable. Under these conditions the ordinary illumination of the area in which the device is located will be ample to produce the simulated fiashes clesired.

What is claimed is:

A display device for use by the electric power industry for symbolizing electricity ancl simulating an active electrical discharge without the use of artificz'al light, said device including a holding element for a card or the like, a base, and a connection between the base anal holding element, said connection comprising a flat substantially stiff translucent material of uniform color having marginal portions of ziz-zag contour simulating the conventional illustration of a lightning flash and extending from the base to saicl element, said marginal portions being beveled to reduce the depth of color at the eolges of the connection and being responsive to the rays of daylight when viewed at changing angles, thereby to produce zig-zag flashes of refractecl .light in streaks leading from the base to the holcling element and distinguishable in color am! intensity of light from the flat portion o;f the connection thereby to simulate with the reiracted light, changeable streaks of lightning fiashing from the base of the holding element.

ASHTON B. COLLINS. 

